Volunteering Queensland

Di Clarke volunteers with the Woodford Folk Festival, which is reknowned as one of the highest profile folk events in Australia. Di describes her first visit to the festival as unforgettable. "I found myself surrounded by a sensory feast of music, dance, discussions, workshops, art, craft and theatre unlike anything I had ever experienced before."

The experience also resonated with her culturally and socially. The festival involves a large and diverse group of people of different ages, nations, cultures, and lifestyles all mingling, smiling, talking, laughing, eating and drinking together without animosity or judgement. There is a general feeling of respect and caring - for the land and each other, and an open willingness to learn and share. In Di's mind, this was the way the world should be! "I remember my first Fire Event at Woodford, when it was over and everyone had drifted back into the festival site it was as though nobody had been there." Di decided that she wanted to support this amazing event and be part of this group of people.

Di volunteers as one of three supervisors in the festival administration department. They are responsible for all incoming phone calls and coordinate the main information desk during the festival. The memorable moments include observing the impact of the festival on first time visitors, working with fantastic people, making friends and experiencing special moments of laughter and camaraderie.

Interestingly, people are surprised that the festival is staffed by volunteers. After volunteering for 5 years, Di is very involved with the business of organising Woodford in the lead up to the event each New Years. There is now a dedicated volunteer department (themselves volunteers) assisting festival staff with arrangements.

"Volunteering has given me a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction, and I would highly recommend the experience to anyone who would like to share in an event which is instrumental in making the world a better place for us all."

The General Manager of the Woodford Folk Festival, Amanda Jackes, also describes her involvement with volunteers as rewarding. Similarly, she enjoys the contact with a diverse range of people as well as gaining satisfaction from empowering volunteers to new levels of responsibility and fostering a creative and enthusiastic environment for volunteers. "I like to see the helpful and generous attitude that is part of volunteering, and to watch volunteers flourish with encouragement."

Over 500 volunteers are involved throughout the organisation in varying roles and levels of responsibility. Such roles include artists transport, concert MCs, cleaners, administration, front of house, lost property, lost children, bar attendants, construction, lighting, carpentry, sign-writing, children's festival attendants, gate personnel, parking attendants, camping attendants and stage managers.

Amanda believes that IYV 2001 is an important opportunity to acknowledge the range of contributions volunteers make and high-light the benefits that volunteers experience such as that special feeling of being involved. Like other organisations, the Woodford Folk Festival will incorporate volunteering orientated activities in its existing programme of events for the Year. "IYV might heighten the awareness of how volunteering can make individuals feel part of a community." Despite the different motivations of volunteers and staff involved in the festival, it is obviously a great joy for everyone to work together for a shared outcome.